Citric Acid can be found in any citrus fruit and some vegetables. Limes and lemons have a very high amount of citric acid in them. Citric acid gives food and drinks a sour sometimes even bitter taste to them. It plays a role in the Krebs Cycle so it occurs in the diet of living things.
Citric acid was discovered by Jabir Ibn Hayyan, who was a Muslim alchemist in the 8th Century.
In 1784 it was first isolated by Carl Wihelm Scheele.
In 1890 first industrial scale production of citric acid was started.
Discovery was made that PenicilliumMold could produce Citric Acid from sugar.
In 1917 James Currie figured out that some strains of mold could produce Citric Acid.
Citric acid exist in two states, anhydrous or monohydrate. Anhydrous uses hot water to crystallize Citric Acid and monohydrate uses cold water to crystallize it. When evaporate Citric Acid leaves white precipate behind. Citric Acid shares similar properties of Carboxylic Acid when in a chemical structure. The picture to the left is what Citric Acid looks like at room temperature, a white powder. On the right a Citric Acid crystal is pictured, only under polarized light and magnified 200 times. Percent Composition: by percent:
Carbon: 37.51%
Hydrogen: 4.20%
Oxygen: 58.29%by number:
Carbon: 28.6%
Hydrogen: 38.1%
Oxygen: 33.3%
Uses
Citric Acid is mainly a food additive. It is used for flavoring and a preservative in food and drinks. Citric Acid can also be used as a household cleaner. Citric Acid is used in soaps, laundry detergent and medications because it can chelate metals.
One acid used by home brewers to help brew water for beer.
Citric Acid is an active ingredient in the production of anti-viral tissues.
Concerns
Any skin or eye contact with Citric Acid will be an irritant and will cause irritation. Citric Acid causes a buring sensation to the eyes and can cause blindness if there is prolonged exposure. There have been cases were high amounts of Citric Acid cause hair damange. Over consumption of Citric Acid can erode tooth enamel.
If you are handling Citric Acid please wear protect clothing and eye wear!
Citric Acid
By: Alexis
Table of Contents
Fun Facts!
Formula: C6H8O7IUPAC Name: 2-hydroxypropane- 1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
Melting Point: 123oC
Boiling Point: Decomposes at 175oC
Molar Mass: 192.124 g/mol (anhydrous)
210.14 g/mol (monohydrate)
Density(in natural state): 1.665 g/cm3
Type of Bonding: Covalent
Did you know? Citric acid is a natural preservative
and an organic acid.
Check Out This 3D Model!!
Citric Acid is commonly confused with Vitamin C!
Background and History
Citric Acid can be found in any citrus fruit and some vegetables. Limes and lemons have a very high amount of citric acid in them. Citric acid gives food and drinks a sour sometimes even bitter taste to them. It plays a role in the Krebs Cycle so it occurs in the diet of living things.
Properties
Percent Composition:
by percent:
Carbon: 37.51%
Hydrogen: 4.20%
Oxygen: 58.29% by number:
Carbon: 28.6%
Hydrogen: 38.1%
Oxygen: 33.3%
Uses
Citric Acid is mainly a food additive. It is used for flavoring and a preservative in food and drinks. Citric Acid can also be used as a household cleaner. Citric Acid is used in soaps, laundry detergent and medications because it can chelate metals.
Concerns
Any skin or eye contact with Citric Acid will be an irritant and will cause irritation. Citric Acid causes a buring sensation to the eyes and can cause blindness if there is prolonged exposure. There have been cases were high amounts of Citric Acid cause hair damange. Over consumption of Citric Acid can erode tooth enamel.
If you are handling Citric Acid please wear protect clothing and eye wear!
Sources
Resources:
"Citric Acid". Wikipedia. 13 November 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid>
Pictures:
"Citric Acid". From Nature With Love. 13 November 2009. <http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/product.asp?product_id=OTHCITRIC>.
"File:Zitronensäure im Mikroskop mit Polfilter besser.jpg". Wikipedia. 13 November 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zitronens%C3%A4ure_im_Mikroskop_mit_Polfilter_besser.jpg>
3D Model:
"Citric Acid 3D Molecular Structure Using Jmol". The Interactive Library. <http://www.edinformatics.com/interactive_molecules/3D/citric_acid_molecule.htm>